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Our Approach

The Problem

Poverty is complex. It is caused by lack of education, inequality, unpredictable weather, corruption, disasters, unjust trade agreements and myriad more deep-rooted social and global issues. At the root of it all lies the fact that we live in a broken world. Solutions aren’t easy. Bringing transformation requires us to address the root causes of injustice as well as responding to people’s immediate needs. Prayer is not the least we can do: it is the most important place to start.

The Solution – the local church

The best way to help someone in need is to stand with them in their place of need. This is one reason why Tearfund Ireland works through professional, accountable partners who work with and through local churches. They operate at the point of need and from within the need. In Tearfund’s experience, this is the recipe for truly sustainable development.

The value of working with and through the local church is that it is a grass-roots network which leads to trust, access, community ownership & sustainability, cost effectiveness, replicability, accountability and ability to scale up. The local church also has enormous potential to positively influence attitudes, values and behaviours and provide leadership. It is recognised that there are clear challenges that must be addressed if the church is to realise its potential. This approach is known as Church-Community Mobilisation.

Some groups within society face higher risk of poverty and social exclusion compared to the general population.We seek to transform the lives of the most marginalised and vulnerable people in their community and thus have chosen to focus on Forgotten Children, Vulnerable Women, HIV and Emergencies.

Faith – We inspire and equip Christians in Ireland to understand God’s heart for the poor: to pray, to give, to act. It all counts.Hope – We speak out against injustice and lobby for positive changeLove – We transform the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalised people by supporting local churches: with finance, training and technical expertise.

We are Christians passionate about the local church bringing justice and transforming lives – overcoming global poverty. Find out how...